Sunday, September 30, 2012

There isn't yet a perfect treatment for varicose veins. A perfect treatment would remove all the varicose veins completely to give you the blemish free legs you had when you were younger, the varicose vein would never return and there would be no side effects or complications from treatment. If the assessment is based on a comprehensive ultrasound scan and the treatment is performed under ultrasound guidance, the majority of people get an excellent result and are very pleased.

The four main treatment options are:

· VNUS Closure Fast and Endo-venous laser (EVL) - these involve the use of fine catheters placed inside the vein to heat it and seal the varicose veins

· Injections of solutions called sclerosants into the vein which start a healing process in which the vein shrinks and disappears

· a non-thermal medical adhesive called Sapheon Venaseal™. A fine catheter is inserted into the refluxing vein and medical "superglue" is administered inside the vein causing it to permanently close

· microsurgical removal of veins called Microphlebectomy

VNUS ClosureFast

VNUS ClosureFast is the latest "State of the art" treatment for varicose veins. It produces rapid results and an excellent cosmetic outcome. The treatment is usually carried out under local anaesthetic as a day case or "walk in, walk out" procedure. This means that charges are reduced, time off work is minimal and therefore the treatment is highly cost effective. Your suitability for VNUS ClosureFast is assessed by a comprehensive ultrasound scan.

After numbing the skin with local anaesthetic (similar to a dentist's injection) and cleaning the skin with antiseptic, a fine needle is inserted into the refluxing veins under ultra-sound guidance and then a fine catheter is passed up the vein. At all times, the exact position of the catheter is monitored by ultrasound. The precision radio frequency energy (a little like microwaves) seals the vein instantly and the catheter is gently withdrawn along the length of the unhealthy vein. The whole process is checked at every stage by ultra-sound to ensure excellent results.

After the procedure, a high quality medical graduated stocking is worn for 7 days continuously and thereafter during the day for two more weeks. Walking and normal activities are encouraged. Most people can get back to normal activities such as work and driving in a day or two. Simple painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are only rarely required.

With VNUS ClosureFast treatment, the veins with faulty valves are sealed under local an-aesthetic without surgery. The highly targeted energy gets your leg looking and feeling better fast.

· Treatment in less than 2 hours

· Local anaesthetic, day case or "walk in walk out" treatment

· Little or no time of work

· No painful cuts or scars in the groin

· No painful stripping

· Rapid return to normal activities including driving

· Excellent cosmetic results with no ugly scars

· Low risk of recurrence

The treatment is carried out under the "watchful eye" of the ultrasound equipment to ensure successful closure of the faulty veins. As there are no surgical cuts, there is virtually no risk of infection, which can occur occasionally after traditional operations

Endo-Venous Laser (EVL)

This procedure uses the precision of laser energy and is performed under local anaesthetic. A fine catheter is inserted into the affected veins under ultrasound guidance using a small needle. The laser fibre is positioned in the groin at the root of the reflux.